Friday, April 30, 2010

Yesterday, the PS22 Chorus of 2010 got a spectacular surprise visit from Queen Latifah and our old friend Common (with whom the kids performed at the National Tree Lighting Ceremony back in December), who appear together in the upcoming film, JUST WRIGHT!

The chorus made its way to MSR Studios in Manhattan at the invitation of Fox Searchlight Pictures. Wanting to keep it a surprise, we led the kids to believe they were simply getting a tour of the studio. Little did they know what was in store for them! Check out the video below to catch a VERY enthusiastic reaction to their surprise visitors, and then an amazing collaboration on Queen Latifah's song, "Champion!"

And of course, what PS22 Chorus celebrity mash-up is complete without Ethan's obligatory sniff?!

The kids also got some great souvenirs to carry off with them from this amazing experience. They got their choice of a T-shirt or a mini basketball game.

Big thanks to Common, Queen Latifah, John Maybee, and Fox Searchlight Pictures for giving our kids yet another experience of a lifetime! Also thanks to Ms. Lisa for the absolutely AMAZING video footage of the performance, and for some great pics! More thanks go to Victor Breinberg, Mrs. Johnson, Ms. Laurie, Mrs. Panzella, & Ms. Massimo for additional pics seen on this post! See more great shots below!

Yesterday, the PS22 Chorus had the distinct honor of being the very first recipient of the Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Award! The awards were given out to those who have found innovative and affordable ways of using technology to make a difference. The chorus's award was presented by none other than NYC Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, who had some fantastic words of praise for the children and the program! Also in attendance at the ceremony was Robert DeNiro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff, the founders of the Tribeca Film Festival in NYC! Even our pal, Ashton Kutcher, made an appearance via SKYPE to receive an award and speak with Lifetime Achievement Award-winner Professor Clay Christianson. Certainly one of the highlights of the event was seeing the chorus on the big screen in the video below!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

This morning I had the pleasure of interviewing with John Hockenberry & Celeste Headlee from The Takeaway show on National Public Radio. Doubly cool was appearing with YouTube phenom, Tay "Chocolate Rain" Zonday! Check it out below or read more on The Takeaway's Website!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Last January, the PS22 Chorus of 2010 made its way down to The Tyra Show to perform for and chat with Ms. Tyra Banks herself! On Tuesday, the episode featuring the kids will premiere at long last, so make sure to check your local listings so you can set those DVRs & TIVOS! To see a preview, click here.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Monday, April 12, 2010

So great to see that our latest cover of Zebra by Beach House is getting such great acknowledgement! In addition to what was previously reported, today alone the chorus's amazing rendition has been touted by New York Magazine, Seattle Weekly, and Spinner.com.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Last month, the Daily News came to do a story on the PS22 Chorus. In addition to gathering information for the story to appear in the printed edition, Amir Shoucri came along to shoot some footage of our rehearsal, which the NY Daily News currently has featured on the front page of their website! Thanks to Amir for the great job he did! With the debut of the video, it's probably safe to assume that the article will be coming soon!

Friday, April 09, 2010

I just discovered this hauntingly beautiful song by Beach House over our spring break last week, and couldn't wait to bring it to the kids upon our return. Of course they do it the great justice that one has come to expect from the PS22 Chorus of 2010! Though I must say, even I couldn't believe how quickly these guys picked up some very difficult harmonies....

UPDATE: Within hours of posting our new cover, Beach House has found, posted, and adulated the PS22 Chorus's version of "Zebra" on both their Twitter & Facebook pages, describing the kids' rendition of their song as "one of the best things ever to happen to us!" Thanks to the band for such amazing validation for all the hard work our kids are doing!

Friday, April 02, 2010

Thanks to The NY Rangers & Greg Kwiziak, for sending and allowing us to post this pro-shot footage from the kids' performance at Madison Square Garden of the national anthem on March 14th! The sound and video quality came out great! For more pics and extra video footage from our amazing day at MSG, make sure you visit our original NY Rangers post from a few weeks back.

Tori Amos

"They were so good! Their arrangements -- their sound -- it was so good.... It was...... disarming. It means so much that they took it and made it their own."-- Tori Amos after a private performance by the PS22 Chorusof her songs at the Sony Atrium in N.Y.C.

Common

"I feel honored to perform with PS22. The energy brought me up to a natural high on music and art, and just the spirits of you all. You all are so exciting to perform with..... I'm gonna remember this day forever."--hip hop legendCommonon performing with the PS22 Chorus at the National Tree Lighting 2009 for President Obama

David Cook

"Oh my God! It's ridiculous... It is incredible how good you guys are!!"-- David Cook, American Idol winner, after singing with PS22 Chorus!

Bonnie Hunt

Innocence Mission

"What a beautiful, beautiful, joyful version. It is a huge improvement on the original. The children brought tears to my eyes with their glorious singing and smiles. I so love the energy of this performance, the arrangement, the harmonies, everything."-- Karen PerisofThe Innocence Missionin apersonal message to the PS22 Chorusafter seeing the kids' video of the song "There" from their album, GLOW

Tribute WTC

Wikipedia

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IMPROVS

Improvising is a skill that really demands great natural musical ability, particularly to do it at 9 or 10 years old! All of the following songs were being created and recorded as you hear them here (with some minor post-editing). PS22 Chorus member JUSTIN, with occasional super-special guests including legendary PS22 Chorus Alumni CLIVE, DEON, BEN, ADIZA, KARIMA, BRI-AH, & AMANDA D., demonstrates the technique brilliantly.

Stevie Nicks

B.J. Novak

"My God! We watch you all the time at work, at The Office, all the actors, all the writers... You guys are amazing! I swear to you, you're an inspiration, keep it up!"-- B.J. Novak, star of The Office, raves about the PS22 Chorusat The Webby Awards!

Sinead O'Connor

"Most beautiful, joyous thing I seen apart from me own children ." -- Sinead O'Connorafter seeing the PS22 Chorus video of her song "Jackie!" PS22 was then invited to be the opening act for her concert at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.

Passion Pit

"These kids made the record what we had been dreaming it to be, as they are integral parts of three songs.... It felt so unbelievable to have the exact sound that I wanted coming through the headphones...."-- Michael Angelakosof Passion Pit on recording with the PS22 Chorus

Nancy Pelosi

"...You indeed, as you sing, 'rule the world!'"--Speaker of the HouseNancy Pelosiafter hearing the chorus sing at the Capitol